Beijing: Several Asian countries, including China and South Korea, have evacuated hundreds of their nationals from the Middle East amid escalating tensions in the region after the US and Israel attacked Iran.

According to Anadolu Agency, more than 260 Chinese nationals have crossed into Azerbaijan through an evacuation plan coordinated by the Embassy of China in Iran. South Korea has been assisting its nationals across the region, transferring 65 individuals in Qatar to Saudi Arabia, while 41 travelers departed Jordan via commercial flights with support from embassy staff in Amman. Additionally, South Korean nationals have been relocated from Kuwait, Bahrain, Israel, and Iraq to neighboring countries.

Seoul has also planned a 290-seat charter flight operated by Etihad Airways to bring home citizens stranded in the United Arab Emirates. This flight is scheduled to depart from Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Approximately 3,000 South Koreans are currently stranded in the UAE due to flight disruptions.

Meanwhile, Australia has urged its citizens in the region to leave on available commercial flights as tensions continue to rise. Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran, resulting in over 1,000 casualties, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, over 150 schoolgirls, and senior military officials.

In response, Iran has launched retaliatory attacks targeting US bases, diplomatic facilities, and military personnel across the region, as well as multiple Israeli cities. The attacks have continued to escalate.